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For the first time in 13 years, Eli Manning was on the sideline when the New York Giants began a regular-season game.

It was quite an unusual sight.

AP Photo/Ben Margot

There he was, helmet off, a walkie-talkie strapped to his gray uniform belt and connected to an earpiece _ a backup's get-up.

Manning was benched by his last-place team this week, stirring up all sorts of angry reaction among fans and former players and raising more questions about the future of coach Ben McAdoo. Instead of Manning under center, New York Jets castoff Geno Smith started at QB against the Oakland Raiders.

It was the first time since a loss to the Cardinals on Nov. 14, 2004, that someone other than two-time Super Bowl MVP Manning was the Giants' starter at the sport's most important position.

Some other pictures of Manning on Sunday, by AP Photographer Ben Margot: